Fishing Reports for April 27

Washington

Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)

The news of the 2016 fishing season is probably settling in with everyone by now and speaking as a person who was there in Vancouver directly involved in the process it was not the outcome that anyone hoped for. In the end however I believe this will be the beginning of a new era in season negotiations.

Here is how Westport’s season will look. Salmon season will open on Friday July 1st, seven days per week, with a Chinook Quota of 16,400. The season will run until Sunday August 21st or until the quota is reached. Whichever comes first. No Coho may be retained. We will start with a one fish bag limit and at some point will increase to a 2 fish bag limit. Our technical expert at WDFW did not believe we would make it to mid August if we started with a 2 Chinook bag limit.

If you absolutely must fish for Coho you can run south of Ledbetter point into MA1. Then you can return to Westport. MA1 is open 7/1 to 8/31 or until their quota is reached. Whichever comes first. The reason on MA1 may keep Coho is to protect the extremely critical Queets River wild Coho.

Ling Cod and Rock continue to be on fire in Westport with limits being caught daily. Ling are ranging up to 30 lbs and I have seen one Sea Bass that would have topped 6 lbs on the scale.

Halibut days in Westport are coming up quickly with openers on May 1, May3 then May 8th and 10th.

I am glad the meetings are over and we can get down to fishing again. Have Fun, be Safe, and we will see you in Westport.

Marine Area 6

Marine Area 7

Marine Area 8.1

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reports “Good” prospects for cutthroat in Marine Area 8.1 during April.

Salmon University Staff

Marine Area 8.2

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reports “Good” prospects for cutthroat, and “Poor” prospects for Coho in Marine Area 8.2 during April.

Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reports “Poor” prospects for Chinook and Coho in Marine Area 9 during April.

Marine Area 10

no report this week

Marine Area 11

The Chinook salmon fishing has been fair, unfortunately seals have been taking salmon from fishermen and be careful there are some chinook that are unclipped please release them carefully. The most productive areas have been from Quarter Master Harbor to the Ferry landing and the Clay Bank to the shelf/flats area between Pt. Defiance Lighthouse to Pt Dalco.

There have been lots of sole and flounder also. For a more updated report call 253-591-5325

Start collecting those Swap Meet items for the Point Defiance Marina Swap Meet on Saturday, May 21, 2016 from 10 am to 3 pm. Covered Space will be limited…A great way to clear up your lockers or garages with tackle and gear others may really need. No firearms, bullets, tobacco, or alcohol products. Contact Information: Gene Anderson genea@tacomaparks.com
(253) 591-5325 or genea@tacomaparks.com
• Register Now for a 10 X 10 Space
• Space is limited. Deadline to register May 19, 2016 . Registration form required and can be obtained at PDM Boathouse
• Cost: $15.00 PDM Locker Tenants receive $5 off
• No admission fee for shoppers
• Tables can be rented to sellers at $5 per table. Must reserve in advance at PDM Boathouse.

Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal)

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reports “Poor” prospects for Coho in Marine Area 12 during April.

Marine Area 13

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reports “Poor” prospects for Coho in Marine Area 13 during April.

Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir

Thing have really heated up here in the Potholes area. This past Saturday and Sunday the 37th annual Potholes Open Bass Tournament was held at Mardon Resort, sponsored by Limit Out Marine from the west side. After pay outs, the proceeds will benefit habitat boxes being put back into the lake. There were 115 teams entered with a 6 fish limit. With the 2 day event there were 955 Largemouth and 163 Smallmouth weighed in. Total weight was 29979.25 pounds, a new record. The average weight for the 2 days, boat total was 26+ pounds with only four fish not surviving the trip in a live well. Lots of the boats reported many fish not tournament size released right back in the water to grow larger. Most of the catching was back in the dunes area with the lake being seasonally high and the water in the mid 60’s.

With the two-day catches the totals from 25th place through to 7th place got their entry fee back; total weights ranged from 34 up-to 38 pounds. The largest bass weighed in at 7.39-pounds. There were 4 bags at over 40-pounds with the heaviest bag at 45.55-pounds by the team of Olson and Sheyer with second going to local talents of Ross and Messeberg. Not all the bass were caught in the back dunes with one of the teams had the bad luck of their motor not starting the second morning . In using their bowmount motor they fished the dam face and had the second day a bag of over 20-pounds.

Start making your plans and get your reservations in. With the looming possibility of no Puget Sound salmon fishing you should get your spot reserved.

Salmon fishing was GOOD for anglers in the Bay and towards Beechey Head. Most of the fish were running from 6 to 10 lbs in size but there were some larger hatchery springs around. A 19.8 lb hatchery spring came from Beechey Head and a 14 lb hatchery came from Aldridge Point. There some good size unclipped springs that were caught and released as well. Anglers have been successful with all types of gear. Anchovies in glow teaser heads have been very effective. Spoons, such as the G-Force and Skinny G, in Cop Car, Bon Chovy or Irish Cream colours were also effective. For flashers, the Madi, Lemon Lime and Purple Onion have been good. Some halibut up to 50 lbs were also brought back to the marina. There were also quite a lot of halibut brought into Cheanuh Marina from Race Rocks and points east.

Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. The Flats have been holding some springs up to 12 lbs and the fish have been feeding heavily on needle fish. It’s been best in 60-140 depths. Good trolling lures have been Green Splatterback Coho Killers, Skinny G spoons and APT Needlefish spoons. Drift anglers have been getting fish on Darts.

Halibut fishing was SLOW this past weekend. Anglers that were fishing were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use Mudraker, Lucky or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. There were lots of springs in the mid teens at Whirl Bay but most wee small. Most anglers are fishing close to the bottom, often bouncing the downrigger balls on the bottom, in 120-150 feet of water, while others are getting nice fish at 60 – 90 feet. Small spoons, such as the G-Force, Coyote and Gypsy, in the glow and/or green colours were very effective. Hootchies and squirts also produced well. Flashers that remain popular include Glow green, Lemon-Lime and Madi. And you can’t go wrong fishing anchovies in a Bloody Nose or chartreuse teaser head.

Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week. Best areas were Race Rocks, William Head, 27 Fathom reef and Constance Bank. Anglers that were fishing were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use Mudraker, Lucky or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Salmon fishing was FAIR near Sidney. Coal Island and Fairfax Point have been the best areas to fish. Unfortunately, the seals have been a nuisance at Coal Island. There has been a good number of springs between15-20 lbs being caught. There has also been some action near Moses Point. It has slowed down by Hambley Point and in the lower channel. Many anglers are fishing using tiny strip or anchovies in Bloody Nose and UV Green teaser heads. Coho Killer, Gibbs Needle G and AP Tackle needlefish spoons have been working well.Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com

Sooke

The salmon fishing was FAIR for springs this past week. Most of the salmon have not been very large, with the exception of some unclipped springs that were caught and released. Anchovies have been the top bait recently, especially with Cop Car and Purple Haze teaser heads. The 3”-4” Kingfisher, Gypsy and G-Force spoons, as well as hoochies, are also top choices for Sooke anglers. Good colors have been Kitchen Sink, Irish Cream and No Bananas. Hootchies in White Glow, Army Truck and Tiger Prawn have been catching their fair number of fish. The most popular flashers recently have been ones with Moon Jelly patterns such as the Madi and the Lemon Lime.

Fishing for salmon was FAIR off Victoria. Constance Bank was good early in the week but slower on the weekend. Most of the fish on the bank have been just around the minimum size for retention. However, if you stick ip out, there are some better fish to 10 lbs available. Not many of the fish were reported to have come from close in along the waterfront, although I did hear of an 18.5 lb wild Chinook that was caught and released by the breakwater. Anchovies were a good bait to use and Bloody Nose and Purple Haze have been the most popular colors for teaser heads. Spoons and squirts were successful in getting hook ups. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and White Glow. Coho Killers, AP Needlefish, G Force and Coyote spoons in Green Splatterback, Moon Glow and Cop Car colours have also been good. The Lemon Lime and Madi have been effective flashers lately.Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com

Cowichan River

The water level has been dropping steadily all week and the water level is 0.72 meters at the lake and 0.68 meters near Duncan today. Fly fishing at the top end of the river for trout has been good and insect hatches are becoming common. The rainbows, cutthroats and resident brown trout are actively feeding on these hatches and migrating salmon fry. Bead head nymphs are the top producer there. Good patterns are Pheasant Tail, Prince, Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ears and Stone fly nymphs. A fry imitation or a Wooly Bugger will also work, especially for the brown trout. When the fish are feeding on the surface, the Goddard Caddis has been a good fly to fish. .

Bass fishing is PICKIING UP. At this time of year some of the bass are moving into the shallows while other bass are near deeper drop offs and hard to find. Look for the fish suspended by drop offs close to shore along docks, branches, and any overhanging structure. During the day, soft plastics rigged Carolina style work well and crank baits can work well too. Crank baits have been effective too when fished around 12 feet down with a fast retrieve. Soft plastics rigged “Carolina Style “is also a good choice when fishing drop offs and docks, most productive in 4” Yum bait colors Smoke or Pumpkinseed. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes. St. Mary’s Lake on Salt Spring Island is also a great lake for bass fishing.